In this issue P4 STAFF SPORTS FUN P6 CHINA CONNECTIONS P8 MORE MATHS MEANS BETTER SCIENTISTS continued on page 2 A group of Engineering students has a Christmas present for Cambodia: the gift of clean water, healthy living and sustainable fishing for the people of Lake Ton Le Sap. The students won first prize in last year’s Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) Challenge. They have been working with EWB this year, and with Lecturer Chris Rowles from Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, on developing their biodigester as part of a sanitation platform for the disadvantaged communities living on the lake. They are on their way to Cambodia now with their plans and materials to make and install their invention and teach people how to turn their biological waste into fertiliser, rather than letting it pollute the lake. Lake Ton Le Sap is the biggest freshwater lake in Asia, supporting 30,000 people whose homes are either beside or on the water. It supplies 80 per cent of Cambodia’s fishery. Mr Rowles said EWB had suggested different projects to the students which he had incorporated into the common first year Engineering unit, Introduction to Professional Engineering. The Challenge was based on using problem- solving and design skills to support the development of the Ton Le Sap Lake communities. The students worked on the challenges in groups and four projects were submitted for judging: the biodigester; a solar tyre cooker as a substitute for a stove; menstrual hygiene management for the Lake women; and a composite building material for the Lake communities. A record 7,491 first-year Engineering students from 26 universities in Australia and New Zealand took part in the challenge. Winners deliver the goods: a healthy life for lake people by Lindy Brophy Above: Ian Azaro does a test run with biological waste Below: The students worked on their biodigester in a suburban garage and tested it in a small backyard swimming pool UWA NEWS 29 NOVEMBER 2010 Volume 29 Number 19
Transcript
In this issue P4 staff sports fun P6 china connections P8 more maths means better scientists
continued on page 2
A group of Engineering students has a Christmas present for Cambodia: the gift of clean water, healthy living and sustainable fishing for the people of Lake Ton Le Sap.
the students won first prize in last year’s engineers Without borders australia (eWb) challenge.
they have been working with eWb this year, and with Lecturer chris rowles from mechanical and chemical engineering, on developing their biodigester as part of a sanitation platform for the disadvantaged communities living on the lake.
they are on their way to cambodia now with their plans and materials to make and install their invention and teach people how to turn their biological waste into fertiliser, rather than letting it pollute the lake.
Lake ton Le sap is the biggest freshwater lake in asia, supporting 30,000 people whose homes are either
beside or on the water. it supplies 80 per cent of cambodia’s fishery.
mr rowles said eWb had suggested different projects to the students which he had incorporated into the common first year engineering unit, Introduction to Professional Engineering. the challenge was based on using problem-solving and design skills to support the development of the ton Le sap Lake communities.
the students worked on the challenges in groups and four projects were submitted for judging: the biodigester; a solar tyre cooker as a substitute for a stove; menstrual hygiene management for the Lake women; and a composite building material for the Lake communities.
a record 7,491 first-year engineering students from 26 universities in australia and new Zealand took part in the challenge.
Winners deliver the
goods: a healthy
life for lake people
by Lindy Brophy
Above: Ian Azaro does a test run with biological waste
Below: The students worked on their biodigester in a suburban garage and tested it in a small backyard swimming pool
UWA NEWS29 NOVEMBER 2010 Volume 29 Number 19
A healthy life for lake people from page 1
it is an international program to develop students’ project management, communication and team skills, while working on inspirational sustainable development projects.
uWa’s winning team of rhys Daniel, Louise minchin, martin Kalkhoven, robbie revy, patrick Donnelly and ian azaro chose to reduce biological wastes being returned to the Lake by producing biogas and organic fertiliser as products to improve both economic and health conditions.
“it’s basically a huge plastic bag, five metres long and 800mm in diameter, that floats in the lake under a house,”
mr rowles explained. “Waste goes in and fertiliser and low pressure biogas comes out. the students will be running workshops for the local people who want to put the bags under their houses.”
he said the biodigester had created a lot of interest at the eWb conference and competition judging in melbourne last year, from delegates from Lesotho and papua new Guinea.
the students get no credit points for continuing their work on the biodigester this year. “it is purely voluntary work,” mr rowles said. “their trip to cambodia is their prize.” the students will work in cambodia with Live and Learn environment education, a non-profit nGo which focuses on poverty reduction and quality of life. their digester will be installed by the students, fitted to a floating barge on the ton Le sap Lake, as part of an ongoing education project.
it is the second consecutive year that uWa has won the eWb australia challenge.
mr rowles said this year’s students had been working on projects to provide rural renewal, education, fresh water, sanitation and power for indigenous people in the Komar traditional lands near cunnamulla in south eastern Queensland. three teams were selected for the Wa finals. their projects are: production of ice using solar power; feral animal and pest control at bendee Downs; and renewal of the bendee Downs shearing shed: from historic relic to cultural hub.
the solar ice project team won the Wa final and will now represent Wa in the eWb national final in melbourne this week.
Chris Rowles and the winning team with their biodigester
Wa expertise for china gas programChina’s natural gas industry gets a management boost from UWA each year.
the australia china LnG training program is run in perth by the australian centre for natural Gas management (acnGm), a joint venture between uWa and curtin university of technology.
executives and managers from china’s leading LnG companies take part in three-month imperatives or courses in either leadership (offered every year), economics or management (both offered biennially). the program is designed to deliver practice-related material at an organisation, industry and policy level, specifically related to the natural gas industry.
the centre has recently completed its 2010 program, guiding, training and mentoring 21 participants through the australia china LnG training program and a further 44, from shenzhen Gas, through an executive study tour.
“Western australia regularly punches above its weight when it comes to the contribution we make to the australian economy and international partnerships,” said tim shanahan, acnGm Director and Director of uWa’s energy and minerals institute.
“this strength is reflected in the highly successful australian centre for natural Gas management. our australia china LnG training program has built on this reputation in enabling an exciting exchange of ideas and has further enriched cultural ties with one of Wa’s key trading partners.”
managers who complete two of the three imperatives (leadership, economic or management) may be awarded an advanced standing for uWa or curtin post-graduate study.
uWa staff involved in the training this year included professor roger smith and professor phil hancock from the business school, and professor Keching shen and associate professor melinda hodkiewicz from mechanical and chemical engineering.
EWB projects develop team skills
UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia2
Nuru Said walked for 14 days after escaping from detention in Ethiopia as a political prisoner.
“it was a difficult journey to freedom but i am lucky to be alive and to have made australia my new home,” said Dr said, who recently completed his phD in the centre for exploration targeting (cet).
Dr said is an oromo refugee who arrived in australia in 2001. oromos are the biggest single ethnic group in the modern ethiopian state, some 40 per cent of the total population. oromia lost its free and democratic government (the Gadaa system) about 130 years ago.
it is hard for Dr said to talk about his past: the political struggles, the imprisonment, his family’s hardship. but as he looks forward to the rest of his life in australia, he realises how lucky he is, and wanted an opportunity to thank uWa for the support he has received.
after finishing his phD, Dr said was employed by the cet and was recently awarded funding from the Vice-chancellor to finalise some publications before embarking on a new three year arc Linkage project with cet’s Director, professor campbell mccuaig.
“Words can’t express the gratitude i feel for professors alan robson, robyn owens, robert Kerrich, cam mccuaig, David Groves, mark barley, Wolf maier and marco fiorentini and sato Juniper, Jan Dunphy, and heath nelson. they have done so much for me. they have been the key to my new life,” he said.
Dr said had a geology degree from ethiopia and knew that he had to continue his education to make his way in his new
From refugee to research academic
home. “i had no documents saying i had a degree, no papers at all. but i went to see professor mark barley, who arranged for me to do a semester of undergraduate work. my results were distinctions, so i was able to progress to a post-graduate diploma in ore deposit geology, with even better results.”
in those early days, he had invaluable help from sato Juniper and Jan Dunphy in the Graduate research and scholarships office. “i didn’t even know how to open a computer when i came to this university. i wrote my first assignment by hand while the rest of students used a computer but i got the highest mark (90 per cent). Despite my huge problems with computing, Dr Juniper and Dr Dunphy had faith in me and helped me so much.”
in 2005, he was accepted to do his phD, in which he produced research of the highest quality. his phD examiners said he had created one of the best datasets in his field.
Dr said has had seven papers published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at an international geology conference. he won best paper for 2009 in the geochemistry and tectonics journal Lithos.
“there are about 300 oromo families in perth who have suffered like me, but with the friendship and support of australian people and the academic and humanitarian help i have received from everybody at uWa, i feel as though i am at home,” he said. “they are all helping me to forget what went before and look forward to my new life.”
Nuru Said thanks UWA for its support
the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 3
Alan Robson Vice-Chancellor
It is heartening that at the end of another highly successful year for our University, the quality of our researchers was again recognised in recent national funding rounds.
both the australian research council (arc) and the national health and medical research council (nhmrc) have endorsed our researchers in the last fortnight with funding of more than $13 million.
arc future fellowships were awarded to eight individuals working on a range of projects from a networked robotic telescope array; to the timing and processes of continent formation; and building proactivity at work.
and nhmrc fellowships and people support Grants were awarded to researchers working on projects addressing topics as varied as creating active environments for mentally and physically healthy communities; hunting human disease genes; exploring the link between dietary patterns and mental health; and paediatric diabetes.
this latest funding for researchers themselves comes soon after nhmrc grants of almost $20 million for specific projects. these include work on gestational diabetes; coronary heart disease; neuropsychiatric outcomes for children of mothers with psychosis; prostate cancer; neurosurgery; men’s health; asthma; malaria; bone disease; management of rett syndrome; risk factors for autism spectrum disorders; and cognitive development.
this work will be carried out by staff of the university on this campus and at
Team-work makes it another great year
affiliated institutes such as the telethon institute for child health research and the Western australian institute for medical research.
such funding ensures that our university continues its work in serving the community – locally, nationally and internationally.
over almost a century, our researchers have been able to make positive differences in the daily lives of countless numbers of people in communities right across the globe.
the confidence placed in our university by national funding bodies also helps us continue to reach our goal of being counted among the world’s top 50 universities by 2050. in achieving this goal, we will be even better able to contribute to our state and our nation.
however, whatever your role within the university – whether you are part of our academic or professional staff – your valuable contribution to the smooth and effective running of our university is appreciated. as leadership expert Ken blanchard said ‘none of us is as smart as all of us’.
only through the team-work and community spirit so evident on our campus can we achieve the results we do as a university.
i wish you all a safe and happy festive season and look forward to further achievement throughout 2011.
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UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia4
For the real athletes, the highlight of the UWA Staff Sports Fun Day was the VC’s Dash.
but for the rest of the 950 staff who took part, it was hard to go past Keith rappa’s dramatic and unconventional win at musical chairs.
as two big groups narrowed down to one select group, it became clear to the spectators that Keith, who was the sports day co-ordinator for the past two years, had shed his logistics role and was keen to nail a sporting victory.
the crowd was cheering him on as it came down to the final pounce and, when the music stopped, Keith grabbed his chair, dashed a few metres away and claimed it. the crowd went wild!
While the tug-o-War has become a traditional tussle between the strong men of the campus and the Vc’s 50-metre races for women and men were hotly contested, most of the other sports were played with fun, rather than victory, as the focus.
this year, the business school handed over the ‘torch’ to the faculty of arts, humanities and social sciences, with faculty manager scott sullivan lighting the cauldron (created by Len Zuks from facilities management), after the torch relay around riley oval.
caine chennatt, a project officer in the arts multimedia centre, co-ordinated the day and said his team had decided
not to add up points and declare a winning faculty.
“it is more about getting staff active and making it an enjoyable social event,” he said. “and we couldn’t have done it without the volunteers from uWa sport and recreation, led by shane sullivan.
“they arranged all the fixtures, marked the playing fields, organised all the equipment, ran all the events and umpired the traditional sports. they were fantastic – thanks so much to shane and his huge team of volunteers.”
traditional sports included tennis, soccer, volleyball, netball, table tennis, squash and bocce. they ran from 11.30, after the opening ceremony until lunchtime. after lunch (a roll and drink from the university club) staff taking part in the novelty races did a big group warm-up before heading off to play musical chairs, fly, tunnel ball, leader ball, the stationery challenge, a three-legged race and the tug-o-war.
there was something for everybody with an afL handball competition, a computer mouse shot put, and a golf contest.
the Vc’s Dash was the final event, with professor alan robson firing the starting gun and presenting the trophies to clare Dickson from student administration (for the second consecutive year) and Jon steingiesser from its.
1. Keith Rappa seizes victory (and the chair) in Musical Chairs (photo Belinda Ireland)
2. The Sport Science team looked good in Tunnel Ball
3. How good are you in the Sack?4. Kurtis Leslie soars high in Fly5. Scott Sullivan lights the cauldron6. Shiobhan Reed and Melissa Licari accept
the cheque on behalf of Unigym participant Aryana
the tug-o-War was won by information services.
the fun day raised $1,650 for unigym, a community outreach program run by the school of sport science, exercise and health. it helps children who have movement difficulties to develop skills and confidence. the money raised will allow five families to participate in unigym in 2011.
sports Day was sponsored by the university club, uniprint, uWa sport and recreation and unicredit.
sore muscles for some, soaring spirits for all
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the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 5
A polished and hilarious performance by a new graduate and a surprise speech by the Nobel Laureate were the highlights of the opening of a new Chinese cultural centre at UWA.
the chinese culture experience centre, to promote chinese culture and language to the general public, is now open five days a week at the confucius institute, at uWa’s claremont campus.
it was officially opened with a triumvirate ribbon-cutting by professor Zhou Ji, president of the chinese academy of engineering, Winthrop professor philip mead, acting Dean of arts, humanities and social sciences, and nobel prize winner professor barry marshall.
professor Zhou was on an official visit to uWa and graciously accepted the confucius institute’s invitation to launch the new centre.
andrew chubb, who has just completed honours in chinese studies, and who
Bringing Chinese culture to the people
earlier in the year won a global competition for foreign speakers of mandarin, donned a pair of big fake glasses to perform a funny folk story from the ming dynasty.
he told the story of the monkey King, who thought like a human and wanted to learn the secret of eternal life, and his encounter with a living buddha.
even those who could not understand a word of mandarin enjoyed andrew’s performance.
but the biggest surprise was when professor marshall made a short speech – in mandarin. he has been learning the language at the confucius institute and quoted from confucius himself when he said: “it is always delightful to welcome guests from afar.”
the acting Director of the institute, associate professor Jie chen, said that this year the total number of people who had attended classes, events, shows and courses at the institute reached 23,042.
and they are continuing their outstanding outreach program with the new centre and plans for specific tours of china next year for business people to study chinese business culture and business language.
“We provide cultural training for the government and business sectors, including big mining companies such as rio tinto, and the Wa symphony orchestra and sporting bodies,” he said.
the new chinese culture experience centre has resources including books, cDs, DVD, talking posters and touch-screen technology from beijing to extend the training informally to anybody who wishes to visit.
Andrew Chubb gives a brilliant traditional Chinese performance
Fluent Mandarin speakers Professor Gary Sigley, Professor Zhou Ji and Andrew Chubb encourage
Professor Barry Marshall with his new language
chinese endeavours put tom at the top‘Golden boy’ is a tag that UWA Fogarty Scholar Tom Williams will find it hard to shake.
he and fellow student of chinese studies andrew chubb were given the title by their teacher Liyong Wang earlier this year when they took first and second places in a global contest for students of mandarin.
tom, an arts/Law student, has now won one of 20 national under-graduate prizes in the prime minister’s australia asia endeavour awards.
he has won a scholarship of more than $40,000 for up to a year’s study in asia, followed by an internship or work place-ment in asia. he is currently studying Diplomacy in
china as part of a chinese Government scholarship at the renmin university of china and will take up the endeavour award in march next year.
tom was also chosen as australia’s sole representative at the 2010 nkabom commonwealth Youth Leadership program held in Kigali, rwanda, in september.
most recently, he and a fellow uWa fogarty scholar, raymond chester-Wallis, won second prize in a national film-making competition organised by oxford university press.
tom works as a part-time legal research clerk at Lavan Legal. he was Youth premier for this year’s Western australian Youth parliament and was this year’s Vice-president of the uWa fogarty scholars’ association.
he was also part of an international task force developing a training program for youth advocacy and community leadership development to be held in Vanuatu in may next year.
UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia6
Pearls have become the personal signature of burns specialist Fiona Wood.
now, the substance that forms the luminous gems may be used by Winthrop professor Wood in her quest for functional skin regeneration after injury.
professor Wood is one of a group of uWa scientists who is looking at processing pearl nacre for bionanotechnology: nano-particles for cosmetics and products for tissue engineering to promote functional nerve and skin regrowth.
(nano-particles are defined as having a measurement of less than 100 nanometres, a metre being a billion nanometres.)
Winthrop professor colin raston and Dr swaminatha iyer from the centre for strategic nano-fabrication, professor sarah Dunlop, a neuroscientist in animal biology, and professor charles bond in biomedical biomolecular and chemical sciences, join her in the project to examine and develop uses for what is often referred to as ‘mother of pearl’ and is essentially a waste product of the pearling industry.
scaffolds or a template for cells to fix onto. We are always looking to improve the tissue protection and regeneration systems we use, from dressings to scaffolds. this is an unexplored area which is exciting to investigate.”
professor Dunlop said the team was considering the use of the pearl nacre in cosmetics, which could provide some funding for further research.
“then we could examine its use for tissue regeneration, initially for skin regeneration after burns, to prevent scarring and regain function,” she said. “and then, perhaps, we could look at using it, at the nano-particle size, as a scaffold for encouraging nerve regeneration.”
she said the nano-particle-sized ‘bricks’ or ‘cylinders’ could also be considered for controlled drug delivery.
professor Dunlop’s work in experimental and regenerative neuroscience has the ultimate goal of regenerating human nerve fibres, so victims of neurotrauma, such as head or spinal cord injury, can feel again, walk again and live a normal life after accidents that would otherwise leave them in wheelchairs or with other permanent and devastating disabilities.
after working for many years with small vertebrates, professor Dunlop and her team began working with professor Wood, combining their special skills, so burns victims could hope for total rehabilitation.
professor Wood said the nanotechnology experts (professor raston and Dr iyer) were the key to the use of pearl nacre, with much to do before others in the team moved towards cell experiments.
Dr iyer said biomimicry, mimicking and understanding the growth of the well-defined structures that form the pearl shell, was the underpinning theme of the research project.
“biomineralisation, a process by which living organisms produce minerals, could be said to prove that nanotechnology exists in nature,” he said. “and we are aiming to mimic it once we understand the concept.”
the question the team is asking is can these well-formed structures help to (for example) regenerate skin by providing well-defined growth supports?
professor raston hopes the answer is yes. “nanotechnology has exciting potential to solve major health challenges of the 21st century,” he said.
a ‘pearler’ of an idea for health challenges
The pearl nacre research group: Ramiz Boulos, Sarah Dunlop, Diane Arnott, Charles Bond,
Fiona Wood, Colin Raston and Swaminatha Iyer
professor raston, who initiated and is leading the project, also has a connection with pearls. he lived in broome where his grandfather built pearling luggers.
“i was contacted by barry humphrey from pearl technology, asking if we could do anything with this waste product,” professor raston said. “these pearls come from the abrolhos islands, from clear unpolluted water, which makes the nacre a perfect material for us to look at.”
he said crushed pearl shells had been used in traditional medicines in china and in cosmetics for many years.
“the pearl shell has the same structure as the pearl inside. it’s calcium carbonate, but what gives it its lustre is the separation between the microscopic brick-like particles.”
professor Wood said the team needed first to understand the structure and how they could manipulate it to provide surfaces suitable for cell growth. “then we can look at possibly building
the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 7
Just two little numbers have changed the way our world operates.
the binary code, on which all computer systems are based, uses the digits 0 and 1. although the digital age is built on just two numbers, it needs people with a strong mathematics background to work in it and develop it.
the university has pronounced 2011 the Year of mathematics at uWa, to celebrate maths and the powerful role it plays in our everyday lives.
Winthrop professor helen Wildy, Dean of education, said the year and its activities would be a reminder that never before have we had such an urgent need for
more mathematics teachers. “We need them to inspire a new generation of graduates with skills in maths and statistics,” professor Wildy said.
arc federation fellow and current Wa scientist of the Year, mathematician Winthrop professor cheryl praeger, said many disciplines such as physics and economics had always relied on a foundation of mathematics.
“but now virtually every area of our lives depends on the mathematical sciences – from healthcare to telecommun-ications; from understanding climate change to making secure financial transactions,” she said.
“We need to ensure a strong mathematical education for our young people to underpin their other skills, whether in science, medicine, engineering or technology.”
professor praeger, one of the most highly-cited mathematicians in the world, is already doing her bit to enthuse school students about maths. she has just run the 13th annual Wa Junior mathematics olympiad (WaJo), which attracted 325 Year 8 and 9 students from more than 45 schools to uWa on a saturday morning to take part in a maths competition.
WaJo is a state initiative run by the Wa branch of the australian olympiad committee, which professor praeger
chairs. “it leads to more enrichment and challenge for young students who are interested in maths, and that leads onto the mathematics olympiad,” she said. “this year, four of the 25 high school students who go to melbourne in December for maths enrichment training prior to choosing australia’s olympiad team, are from Wa. We often have nobody representing our state, or perhaps one or two.”
professor praeger and the Wa director of the australian mathematics olympiad committee, Greg Gamble, have been working hard with bright young mathematicians.
“WaJo this year was just brilliant. it was great to see the kids enjoying it so much.”
after the Wa minister for education, elizabeth constable, presented the prizes at WaJo, she announced that the state Government would sponsor two prizes for excellence in mathematics teaching, at primary and high school level.
“there are no details yet, but fantastic, inspiring maths teachers are certainly what we need in schools, because fewer and fewer students are choosing to study advanced mathematics,” professor praeger said.
“it’s affecting their progress in courses such as engineering, physics, computer
More maths adds up to better doctors, scientists and engineers
Helen Wildy
UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia8
science and other sciences. We have to teach new undergraduate students the maths we wish they had studied in high school. by not doing advanced maths at school, these students are making life hard for themselves, because the way things are taught at university is at a much quicker pace than the way they are taught at school.
“it comes as a shock to the students when they realise how fast they are expected to learn at university level and, without a strong grounding in school maths, many of them don’t have the fundamentals to build on.”
the Vice-chancellor, professor alan robson, has mooted the idea of offering a bonus to prospective university students if they studied advanced maths at school. the scheme would be similar to the bonus that ramps up the tertiary entrance score, by 10 per cent, of students who have studied (and sat the final exams in) a foreign language at high school.
the maths bonus may be introduced in coming years.
“i like the idea but i would prefer to go back to making advanced maths a prerequisite for engineering and science courses,” professor praeger said. “not all schools teach advanced maths, so, in the interests of equity and access, we didn’t push it as a prerequisite. but there’s the risk that fewer and fewer schools will teach it.”
professor praeger is the first australian to be elected to the executive of the international mathematics union (imu – the body that awards the prestigious fields medal every four years, for outstanding discoveries by young mathematicians).
for the first time, the imu executive is meeting in australia next year and professor praeger will host the 10 members from europe, asia and the americas at uWa in february.
a maths symposium, mathWest, will celebrate the imu executive’s first foray into australia, and will be part of uWa’s Year of mathematics.
one objective of the symposium is to get mathematics onto the political agenda in a bid to enhance the future of maths education. a series of lectures, a maths and industry breakfast and a proposed school visit will be part of the itinerary for the imu.
the union’s secretary, professor martin Grotschell from the technical university of berlin, will meet industry leaders and discuss the relationship between mathematics and modern industry.
Later, it is planned that he will talk to school children about the invisible mathematics that is behind many everyday objects and how it drives modern technology.
Later in the year, uWa graduate akshay Venkatesh will visit his alma mater as professor-at-Large with the institute of advanced studies and as part of the Year of mathematics. the brilliant young mathematician is professor-at-Large in mathematics at stanford university.
if anybody can encourage young people to study maths, professor Venkatesh is surely one of them. he is the only australian to have won medals at both the international physics olympiad and the international mathematics olympiad, at the age of 12.
soon after, before his 13th birthday, he enrolled at uWa and, by the age of 16, had completed first class honours in pure mathematics and won a hackett scholarship to do his phD at princeton.
he was an undergraduate classmate of associate professor michael Giudici (who also won a hackett scholarship for his phD). a/professor Giudici is an australian research fellow in uWa’s centre for mathematics of symmetry and computation, a specialisation he shares with professor praeger.
in a beautifully symmetric move by the australian mathematics trust, professor praeger has been chosen as one of two winners of the bh neumann award this year, in the lead-up to the Year of mathematics and the historic imu executive visit.
the award, named after professor bernard neumann (who came to australia in 1962 and provided stellar leadership in mathematics teaching), is for important contributions over many years to the enrichment of mathematics learning in australia and its regions.
as well as her highly-cited research in algebra and discrete mathematics, professor praeger has taken a leading role in the teaching of mathematics.
professor neumann held an honorary doctorate from uWa. and to round off the symmetry, his son peter was professor praeger’s phD supervisor at oxford.
Cheryl Praeger
WAJO competition: Making maths fun is a great start
the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 9
New Courses 2012 UpdateuWa staff and students are encouraged to visit: www.newcourses2012.uwa.edu.au for new information aimed at current uWa students in addition to new pathways to the professions.
to register for online updates visit: www.newcourses2012.uwa.edu.au/register
contact rachel schmitt in public affairs for more information: [email protected] or phone 6488 7241.
Community thrives on trade
University staff will get an exclusive preview of the Perth International Arts Festival.
festival director shelagh magadza will present the delights of our summer of theatre, dance, music, film and fun at the fox Lecture theatre from noon to 1pm on tuesday December 7.
come along with your lunch and find out what’s happening on campus and in other venues around Wa in february.
uWa staff can salary package festival tickets.
A wedding gown – never worn; a free car; and enough dogs and cats needing homes to melt the hardest hearts.
these are some of the treasures advertised recently on the university’s online trading List.
While some find the frequent emails irritating, others find them fascinating and many staff agree that it has become another strong thread in the fabric that is the uWa community.
furniture, televisions and other household goods are offered for sale and people ask for recommendations of plumbers, electricians, painters, panel beaters, cleaners, solar panel installers and even dentists.
Quiz nights, raffles, garage sales and fund-raising events are advertised. tickets to concerts are always popular.
cars and accommodation are the most popular postings, with members offering rooms to let or houses for sale, or wanting flats to share or house-sitting services. they must be successful because another frequent listing is the need for packing boxes.
marie corrigan, client services manager at its, said the trading List was set up about two years ago, after complaints from some staff members on the secretaries’ List. “they said there were so many queries coming through that they were getting distracting,” marie said. “so we initially set up the trading post (but had to change the name to the trading List after a complaint from the magazine of that name) populated with the 622 people on the secretaries’ list, inviting them to take themselves off the list if they wished, but to spread the word to other staff members.”
the trading List now has 1,160 members and, for the past year, more than 200 email requests have been sent out through the system every month.
“the emails are kept short, so staff are not wasting a lot of time writing them or reading them,” marie said.
there is the option of diverting them to a folder, so you can read them when it suits you. but that might mean missing out on bargains.
When something of particularly good value is offered, there is no time to
waste. it’s usually snapped up within a few minutes.
marie said the trading List was not confined to staff; students could also join. “it tends to coalesce the university as a community,” she said. “and it is a community of trust. advertising in the trading List is much better than using the local paper, because of that trust.”
i was prompted to write this when i asked, via the trading List last week, if anybody had a ute and could help me to move a mattress from my parents’ home to my sister’s place. i quoted a price but, among a dozen prompt replies, i received three offers to do the job for nothing – two from staff members i have never met. three people didn’t have a ute but recommended carriers who would do the job for less than i quoted. and one woman told me how she had moved a mattress herself by tying it to the roof of her tiny two-door car.
the job was done by 5.45 that evening.
to subscribe to the trading List, go to http://maillists.uwa.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/trading-list
Lindy brophy
Lunchtime launch
UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia10
High speed, high performance, high power – it used to mean high fossil fuel consumption.
but the renewable energy Vehicle (reV) project’s newly launched Lotus elise has changed all that. the sleek english sports car has been converted by staff and students in the faculty of engineering, computing and mathematics to an electric-powered car that has barely lost any of its performance.
“We haven’t tested it at high speed yet – there really isn’t any need,” said professor thomas braunl, the leader of the reV project. but a gleam in his eye acknowledged that there would be no shortage of students lining up to do that test. “With a conventional petrol engine, the Lotus would have no problem doing more than 200 km/h. the same is achievable with an electric motor, but for weight reasons we couldn’t fit as many batteries as we wanted into it. so it would probably do around 180 km/h.”
professor braunl said the team had tried to keep the weight the same, trading the petrol engine and fuel tank for batteries, but the car was so small and light that they had to reinforce the rear to take the batteries. “it’s a bit heavier, but this has not affected the handling. the kart-racing feeling is still there.”
an advantage the Lotus has over reV’s first electric car, the hyundai Getz (apart from style) is regenerative braking.
“You just touch the brakes, and the motor reverses its function, producing rather than consuming energy, and that energy is put back into the batteries,” professor braunl explained.
“We will do lots of testing to see how this affects the range it can travel between charging, and also its effect on driver behaviour. We feel it could be a distinct advantage for city driving, where you are doing a lot of braking.”
the range is always an issue with electric cars. the Lotus can do about 110 kilometres before its batteries are empty.
Luxury motoring without the carbon footprint
Last week, perth’s first fast-recharging station for electric cars was opened at rac headquarters. it is the first of 12 fast recharge bays which are part of a three-year electric car research project being run by the reV group. the first of 11 locally-converted electrically-powered ford focus cars was also launched. these cars will by used as pool cars by the Wa electrical Vehicle trial’s participants, which include the rac, telstra, the West australian, several local municipalities and state Government departments.
electric vehicle fast-charging bays will be installed at uWa, murdoch university, in perth and fremantle, and at several Gull service stations, which are a major reV sponsor.
other sponsors of the Lotus are Galaxy resources, a company that is mining lithium in ravensthorpe (a material used in the production of Lithium-ion batteries for electric cars) and crest, the centre for research into energy for sustainable transport, at murdoch university.
along with the Lotus, the reV group unveiled a new-generation racing car, which will compete in the international formula student electric competition. “We converted uWa motorsport’s 2001 formula sae racing car to electric drive, but the reV students are already working on designs to build a new car for the 2011 competition,” professor braunl said.
his 25 undergraduate and postgraduate students have been working on four cars this year: the Lotus elise, the electric formula sae racing car, the hyundai Getz (launched two years ago) and the bmW X5.
“the bmW is a drive-by-wire project,” he said. “that means a car that can be driven by an embedded computer system. it can already brake and steer itself and we are looking to do further work on this project next year.”
Thomas Braunl enjoys driving the rebadged Lotus Elise
the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 11
1. Unicredit will provide up to $1,000 cash back for all new property secured loan applications, greater than $150,000, made between 17/11/2010 and 31/03/2011. Offer subject to change and not valid with other offers. 2 Minimum loan redraw $1000. *Comparison rate is for a loan of $150,000 for a term of 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Fees, charges, conditions & normal lending criteria apply. Please refer to our Fees Schedule, available from any Unicredit branch. The University Credit Society Ltd. AFSL/ACL 244168.
Phone the Unicredit Lending Centre on 9389 1011 or refer to: www.unicredit.com.au
Better flexibility & personal serviceYour Personal Lending Consultant, based at our Nedlands Lending Centre, will make the transfer of your mortgage simple and handle the paperwork.
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No Deferred Fees - No On-going Fees - No Lock-in FeesOn top of this, we’ll provide up to $1,000 cash-back towards your refinance costs.
Unicredit is making it easy for staff to leave their bank behind - with $1,000 cash-back 1
Unlike the banks, Unicredit is only passing on the Reserve Bank rate increase: In fact, our standard variable home loan is now just 7.10%(cr)*. As a ‘mutual’ credit union, established to benefit University Staff, Unicredit is able to act in the best interest of its members. The Nedlands Lending Centre can provide the quality personal service, for both owner/occupiers and investors, to make the move easy.
2010 Christmas cards now available at www.uniprint.uwa.edu.au
Please visit www.uniprint.uwa.edu.au and log on to the online orders using your existing account to view the beautiful UWA Campus inspired, 2010 Christmas Cards. A highlight of the new range of cards features flora of the University.
Don’t despair if you do not have an existing account. You can log in using the generic login. Username: seasons2010 | Password: seasons2010
If you have something else in mind for your cards, UniPrint can even help you create your own personalised cards.
For further information or assistance with online ordering please contact Aaron on 6488 5512 or email [email protected]
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UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia12
For years, chemist Colin Raston wanted to take up photography.
“but as a devotee of green chemistry, i just couldn’t do it. it was such a wasteful hobby, with all that film and all those chemicals used to develop it and make prints,” he said. “When digital photography came along, i knew it was time for me to start taking photos.”
Winthrop professor raston, Director of the centre for strategic nano-fabrication, takes ultra close-up highly detailed photographs of plants.
The Vice-Chancellor is so keen to see more student housing for UWA that he grabbed a shovel and started work on the Currie Hall extensions.
professor alan robson and currie hall principal, chris massey, each turned a ceremonial sod as the first of four stages of expansion began at the university-owned hall of residence.
the first stage will provide 24 rooms, many of them with ensuite bathrooms, which the college hopes will be ready for occupation at the start of second semester next year. the $3 million project is being funded by the university and currie hall. a further 76 new rooms will be added in the next three stages.
the architect for the extension, Kevin palassis, and the builder, moJo builders, is the same partnership used by st George’s college for their expansion.
“We think they have valuable experience from that project,” mr massey said. “We feel confident that they will help us meet our deadline of the beginning of second semester.”
the new buildings will have improved access for residents and visitors with mobility impairments, with some ground-floor wheelchair-accessible bedrooms and bathrooms.
owned and operated by uWa, currie hall is home to 250 students. it was founded in 1946 as the university hostel and named after sir George currie, the university’s second Vice-chancellor, who was patron of the men’s club that administered the hostel.
Above left: One of Colin Raston’s beautiful photographs
Above right: Desley Watson-Raston’s painting Peacock on the Fence
sustainable art“i don’t digitally enhance them; that would be too easy,” he said. “i might take 500 shots to get the one i want – something i could never have done with the old wasteful technology. the art is in taking that one perfect shot.”
professor raston and his wife, Desley Watson-raston, are exhibiting their work at the university club art gallery, until mid-December. ms Watson-raston is a painter with a broader range than her husband, but also concentrating on capturing nature.
this is their second joint exhibition and the proceeds are being donated to the arthritis foundation.
the foundation is finalising the funding of a new chair at uWa, in musculoskeletal science.
(see page 7 for professor raston’s latest research project.)
More rooms for students
Chris Massey and Alan Robson get started, despite not being dressed for the job
the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 13
UWA NEWS classified
RESEARCH GRANTSGrants Awarded Between 1/11/2010 to 12/11/2010NHMRC PROJECT GRANTSClinical Professor Peter Thompson, Professor Andrew Tonkin, Adrienne Kirby, Professor Harvey White, Adjunct Professor John Beilby, Professor Malcolm West, Professor Lyle Palmer, Professor Stefan Blankenberg, school of population health, university of sydney, monash university, university of Queensland, centre for Genetic epidemiology and biostatistics: ‘examining GWas-identified Loci of interest in predicting coronary events in subjects with Known coronary heart Disease: the LipiD Genetic study’— $632,524 (2011-13)Professor Deborah Trinder, Winthrop Professor John Olynyk, Dr Anita Chua, Professor Ian Lawrance, school of medicine and pharmacology: ‘Defining iron and haem induced pro carcinogenic pathways of colorectal cancer’— $546,732 (2011-13)Associate Professor Jane Heyworth, Dr Andrea Hinwood, Prof Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Associate Professor Kieran McCaul, Professor Bu Yeap, Professor Bert Brunkereef, school of medicine and pharmacology, uWa centre for medical research, school of population health, edith cowan university, utrecht university, centre for research in environmental epidemiology (creaL): ‘health in men and air Quality study – himaQs’— $447,630 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Karen Simmer, Dr Jonathan Foster, Dr Michael Smith, school of paediatrics and child health, school of Women’s and infants’ health: ‘effect of high Dose infant fish oil supplementation and faDs 1 and 2 Genetic polymorphisms on cognitive Development and school Giftedness’— $314,864 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Assen Jablensky, Associate Professor Francis Morgan, Professor Thomas McNeil, Dr Kathryn Abel, Professor Vera Morgan, crime research centre, school of psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, university of manchester: ‘Life course trajectories and neuropsychiatric outcomes in an e-cohort of high risk children of mothers with psychosis’— $770,475 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Timothy Davis, Dr Ivo Mueller, Professor Peter Siba, school of medicine and pharmacology, papua new Guinea institute of medical research: ‘exploring resistance of plasmodium Vivax to antimalarial Drugs – a retrospective and prospective study’— $424,400 (2011-13)Assistant Professor Frank Sanfilippo, Dr Jamie Rankin, Professor Elizabeth Geelhoed, Dr Michael Nguyen, Mark Newman, Associate Professor Donald Cutlip, Winthrop Professor Matthew Knuiman, Associate Professor Tom Briffa, Emeritus Professor Michael Hobbs, school of population health, harvard university, royal perth hospital, sir charles Gairdner hospital, fremantle hospital: ‘evaluation of Long term clinical and health service outcomes following coronary artery revascularisation in Western australia – future implications’— $617,588 (2011-12)Winthrop Professor Paul Norman, Winthrop Professor Timothy Davis,
Associate Professor Gerald Muench, Associate Professor Kieran McCaul, school of surgery , school of medicine and pharmacology, uWa centre for medical research, university of Western sydney: ‘screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms – Long term outcome and role of circulating markers of Glycation’— $137,867 (2011-12)Amanda Hooper, Clinical Professor John Burnett, Professor Frank Van Bockxmeer, school of pathology and Laboratory medicine, school of medicine and pharmacology: ‘molecular mechanisms of inherited hypocholesterolaemias – impact of apob and mttp mutations on Lipoprotein assembly and secretion’— $195,016 (2011-12)Associate Professor Charlene Kahler, Winthrop Professor Alice Vrielink, Associate Professor Martin Scanlon, Professor Russell Carlson, school of biomedical, biomolecular and chemical sciences, monash university, university of Georgia: ‘the role of Lipooligosaccharide phosphoethanolamine transferases in the pathogenesis of neisseria meningitidis and n Gonorrhoeae’— $555,048 (2011-13)Dr Scott Wilson, Professor Richard Prince, school of medicine and pharmacology: ‘the role of Genomic copy number Variation in regulation of bone Disease phenotypes’— $424,615 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Peter Leedman, uWa centre for medical research: ‘micrornas and their processing complexes integrate erbb-2 and ar signaling pathways in prostate cancer’— $626,732 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Peter Leedman, Dr Shane Colley, uWa centre for medical research: ‘role of a nuclear receptor coregulator in colorectal cancer’— $601,732 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Piroska Rakoczy, Assistant Professor Chooi‑May Lai, Professor Ian Constable, Dr Matthew Wikstrom, centre for ophthalmology and Visual science: ‘Long-term human response following subretinal injection of recombinant adenoassociated Virus-sflt-1 Vector’— $360,031 (2011-13)Professor George Milne, Associate Professor Heath Kelly, Dr Philip Clark, Dr Geoff Mercer, school of computer science and software engineering, university of sydney, australian national university, Victorian infectious Diseases reference Laboratory: ‘modelling to Determine cost-effective strategies to mitigate future influenza pandemics’— $402,154 (2011-13)Professor Ursula Kees, Dr Richard Lock, Dr Alex Beesley, uWa centre for child health research, children’s cancer institute australia’s (ccia): ‘targeting Drug-resistance in paediatric acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia’— $626,732 (2011-13)Professor Ursula Kees, Dr Alex Beesley, Dr Adrian Charles, uWa centre for child health research, princess margaret hospital for children: ‘role of connective tissue Growth factor in pathobiology of Lymphoid tumours and response to therapy’— $583,390 (2011-13)Andrew Whitehouse, Professor Murray Maybery, Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, Professor Martha Hickey, Associate Professor Craig Pennell, school of psychology, school of Women’s and infants’
health, university of melbourne, La trobe university, telethon institute for child health research: ‘prenatal and early postnatal risk factors for autism spectrum Disorders’— $671,928 (2011-15)Professor Donald Robertson, Winthrop Professor Geoffrey Hammond, Winthrop Professor Marcus Atlas, school of surgery, school of biomedical, biomolecular and chemical sciences, school of psychology: ‘neural mechanisms for enhancing hearing’— $215,840 (2011-13)Professor Ruth Ganss, uWa centre for medical research: ‘regulator of G protein signalling-5 Loss and Gain of function in Vivo’— $604,706 (2011-13)Jay Ebert, school of sport science, exercise and health: ‘improving patient outcome following arthro scopic autologous chondrocyte implantation’— $333,989 (2011-13)
Winthrop Professor Karol Miller, A/ Prof Simon Warfield, Associate Professor Adam Wittek, Clinical Professor Neville Knuckey, faculty of medicine, Dentistry and health sciences, school of mechanical and chemical engineering, harvard university: ‘towards predicting brain Deformations for image Guided neurosurgery’— $294,208 (2011-13)Professor Jiake Xu, Assistant Professor Nathan Pavlos, school of surgery: ‘roquin plays a critical role in bone homeostasis’— $462,957 (2011-13)Professor Jiake Xu, Assistant Professor Nathan Pavlos, Winthrop Professor Ming Zheng, school of surgery: ‘molecular mechanisms and therapeutic effects of novel parthenolide analogs on osteolysis’— $543,390 (2011-13)Dr Lea‑Ann Kirkham, Dr Selma Wiertsema, school of paediatrics and child health: ‘Dynamics of haemophilus haemolyticus and
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UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia14
UWA NEWS classified
UWANews deadlines forthe first half of 2011Deadline (Wednesday) Publication date (Monday)1. february 23 march 72. march 9 march 213. march 23 april 44. april 6 april 185. april 20 may 26. may 4 may 167. may 18 may 308. June 1 June 139. June 15 June 27 Mid year breakmore deadlines will be published at a later date.
nontypeable haemophilus influenzae in otitis prone children’— $346,497 (2011-13)Dr Selma Wiertsema, Dr Lea‑Ann Kirkham, school of paediatrics and child health: ‘the role of antibody Levels and functionality in recurrent acute otitis media’— $398,786 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor John Newnham, Professor Jeffrey Keelan, Dr Ilias Nitsos, Clinical Professor Alan Jobe, school of Women’s and infants’ health: ‘effective treatment of ureaplasma to prevent preterm birth’— $676,732 (2011-13)Professor Patrick Holt, Dr Deborah Strickland, uWa centre for child health research, school of paediatrics and child health, telethon institute for child health research: ‘respiratory Viral infections as triggers of acute severe asthma exacerbationis in atopics – mechanistic studies in an experimental model’— $636,732 (2011-13)Dr Helen Leonard, Professor Elizabeth Elliott, Prof John Christodoulou, Dr Jennepher Downs, Dr Carolyn Ellaway, Peter Jacoby, Ian Torode, uWa centre for child health research, university of sydney, royal children’s hospital melbourne, telethon institute for child health research, the children’s hospital at Westmead: ‘towards evidence based care for rett syndrome – a research model to inform management of rare Disorders’— $441,973 (2011-13)Professor Jennifer Pillow, Winthrop Professor Andrew Bassom, Dr David Tingay, school of mathematics and statistics, research services, murdoch children’s research institute: ‘consequences of Waveform composition for epithelial integrity and homogenous Ventilatoin During hfoV’— $395,697 (2011-13)Professor Jennifer Pillow, Dr Gavin Pinniger, Dr Anthony Bakker, school of biomedical, biomolecular and chemical sciences, school of Women’s and infants’ health: ‘influence of in utero environment on Diaphragm structure and function’— $478,365 (2011-13)Dr Jerome Coudert, centre for ophthalmology and Visual science: ‘mcmV Variants escape nK cell mediated control in c57bL/6 mice Due to m157 ability to bind to both Ly49c inhibitory and Ly49h activating nK cell receptors’— $563,390 (2011-13)
Dr Oliver Rackham, Dr Aleksandra Filipovska, Professor Ian Small, Professor James Whelan, arc centre for plant energy biology, uWa centre for medical research: ‘mictchondrial ribosomal pentatricopeptide Domain proteins regulate protein synthesis in health and Disease’— $427,540 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Jacqueline Fritschi, Dr Deborah Glass, Associate Professor Timothy Driscoll, Dr Geza Benke, Associate Professor Alison Reid, uWa centre for medical research, university of sydney, monash university: ‘carcinogens at work – how big is the problem’— $365,016 (2011-12)Professor Susan Prescott, Associate Professor Vicki Clifton, Dr Richard Saffery, Assistant Professor Janet Dunstan, Associate Professor Meri Tulic, school of paediatrics and child health, university of adelaide, murdoch children’s research institute: ‘epigenetic programming of immune Development in utero – role of the maternal environment in the allergy epidemic’— $738,336 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor John Newnham, Professor Paul Fournier, Dr Kym Guelfi, Winthrop Professor James Grove, Associate Professor Karen Wallman, Dr Dorota Doherty, school of sport science, exercise and health, school of Women’s and infants’ health, King edward memorial hospital: ‘preventing Gestational Diabetes mellitus using a home based supervised exercise program During pregnancy’— $740,709 (2011-13)Associate Professor Rachael Moorin, Professor Cashel Holman, Professor Max Bulsara, Professor Richard Fox, school of physics, school of population health, notre Dame university: ‘policy translation of an australia evaluation of computed tomography (ct) scanning’— $386,299 (2011-13)Winthrop Professor Jonathan Emery, Associate Professor Penelope Schofield, Associate Professor Michael Jefford, Professor Madeleine King, Dr Marie Pirotta, Professor Dickon Hayne, Doctor Andrew Martin, Associate Professor Lyndal Trevena, school of surgery, school of primary, aboriginal and rural health care, university of sydney, university of melbourne, peter maccallum cancer centre: ‘a phase ii trial of follow up of men with prostate cancer in primary care’— $564,411 (2011-13)
Associate Professor Livia Hool, Associate Professor Evan Ingley, Associate Professor Ben Corry, school of biomedical, biomolecular and chemical sciences, uWa centre for medical research: ‘identifying the sites of modification on the human L-type ca2+ channel protein isoforms During oxidative stress with reference to Development of a therpeutic target’— $347,931 (2011-13)Professor Trevor Mori, Dr Rae‑Chi Huang, Professor Susan Prescott, Winthrop Professor Lawrence Beilin, Doctor Michael Fenech, Dr Nathan O’Callaghan, school of medicine and pharmacology, school of paediatrics and child health, csiro: the effects of fish oil supplements and novel anti-inflammatory metabolites and telomere Length in early and Later Life – potential implications for Long term cardiovascular risk’— $840,060 (2011-13)
ClASSifiEdSFOR SALETOYOTA Camry Altise: 2005 auto 2.4 L. full service history. 71,000 km, new rear tyres. $12,500 ono. contact: Kioumars on 0403 278 268 or: [email protected] RESOURCES: Junior primary Great ideas. books, charts, games, etc. prices vary: $2 up to $25. ideal for beginning primary school teachers. contact Kay on 9401 3959.equipment: Light table. a0 size, on stand. excellent condition. $500 ono. contact ext 2150 or [email protected] “Today” scooter: $990. 50 cc engine, red color, electric start, auto transmission, gloves, helmet and protective cover. 7,300 km, very good condition. registration 10/2010. call Krish at 6488 7314 or email [email protected], KING SIZE: $130. Wooden, antique style and mattress good condition. call Krish at 6488 7314 or email [email protected]: bargain! half acre block in bridgetown. huge 2164 square meter. $170,000 or nearest offer. contact Julie: 0411 522 007 or catherine: [email protected] for information. Location 1km from centre of town. one hour drive to margaret river or to bunbury.FREE: as new. colour toners for “hp color LaserJet 2605”. two yellow Q6002, one magenta Q6003, one
TO LETFRANCE: south West holiday accommodation. self-contained apartment in one of the most beautiful medieval Villages of the perigord noir, beLVes. for more details see website: http://belves.info/ or contact susana howard ext 8669; h 9246 5042; email: [email protected]
FRANCE: self-contained stone cottage in charming sW village of treignac with terrace overlooking sunsets across a forest. 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4, $100 per night. also 1 bedroom apartment below, $70 per night. contact Kate on 9387 5015 or email [email protected]
MOUNT LAWLEY: a spacious two-bedroom apartment (96m2) for lease from January 2011. the apartment can be rented fully furnished or empty, as required. a year’s or six months’ lease is preferred, but offers of shorter leases will be considered. floorboards, newly renovated bathroom, beautiful fifth-floor view to perth cbD, and public transport at the doorstep. call 0413 491 342 or email: [email protected]
COMO: fully furnished, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house in como. 15 minutes drive from uWa. for 1 year in first instance starting January 2010. $550 per week excluding utilities. contact: [email protected]
SHENTON PARK: unfurnished family home for rent. $600 per week. Well presented, freshly painted house available. for long term lease from 12 november 2010. 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with separate toilet. Large kitchen with separate family and lounge room. reticulated yard and garden with lawn maintained by owner. air conditioning to master bedroom and family room. ceiling fans to 3 bedrooms. alarm system installed. pets oK. Great location close to uWa, Kings park, subiaco and hospitals. contact: 0419 191 220.
HOUSESITTINGcanadian academic couple visiting uWa would like to arrange to house-sit for two months in early 2011. the dates are flexible, but february and march are preferred. We are non-smokers visiting without children or pets, but have cared for our own home, pets, garden, etc, for many years. email: [email protected]
this is the final issue of UWAnews for 2010The first issue next year will be published on Monday March 7. The deadline for advertising or editorial copy is Wednesday February 23.
thank you to everybody who has contributed to UWAnews this year. i have enjoyed bringing it to you for the past 15 years.
Keep the news tips and story ideas coming next year. and please take advantage of The Last Word. it is your chance to have your say and have it read by all your colleagues.
the UWAnews office will be closed from December 15 to february 7.
have a relaxing summer break and i hope to hear from many of you in 2011.
Lindy brophy, editor
the university of Western australia UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 15
How i ended this summerHow I Ended This Summer is the name of a fantastic Russian film screening at the Somerville as part of Lotterywest Festival Films’ 2011 season. It also reminds me of how I’ll be moving on at the end of summer after 41 years with the Perth International Arts Festival.
all 41 festivals have been enormously challenging, adventurous, lots of fun and extremely rewarding.
the festival of perth was founded by professor fred alexander and John birman in 1953 and it fell firmly under birman’s leadership from 1955 to 1976. i remember so clearly meeting John birman on 12 January 1971, when i visited the extension service’s decades-old ‘temporary’ wooden offices. i had a lovely relaxed chat with him, and before i knew it, i was employed to assist in the festival’s publicity office, which was also responsible for promoting courses and seminars for the wider Wa community through the university’s extension service, adult education and annual summer school.
John birman left his festival posting in 1976 to set up the state’s first fm radio station, 6uVsfm, now known as 6rtr. that same year, Yorkshireman David blenkinsop was appointed the festival’s Director, and i took a short walk across the highway to tuart house (the old music Department) in may to join David and his small team.
for the next 23 years David took the festival to great heights, touring the world’s great orchestras, presenting large-scale productions like peter brook’s unforgettable Mahabharata and footsbarn travelling theatre’s shakespearean masterpieces, educating and thrilling audiences with the very best of international modern dance, and in his wake, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy.
at this time i was well ensconced at the helm of the nation’s oldest film event, with its audiences still coming to terms with continental movies. our festival was the first to present this style of programming, and still today its primary objective is to maintain its reputation of presenting quality arthouse cinema.
the somerville very quickly became an important and much- treasured feature of the festival, embracing the widest audiences. needless to say, world movies have underpinned the remarkable success of one of the biggest and most successful film events in australia.
along with my film responsibilities, in august 1980 i was appointed the festival’s press and publicity officer, and exactly one decade later, became publications manager. a usual day for me was dealing extensively with a wide range of media requests for all aspects of the festival, approving advertising, writing and proofing program blurb, overseeing film operations, organising press conferences, and all the while catering to festival artists’ many and varied needs, be it a doctor’s appointment, a pair of thongs, or a shoulder to cry on.
following opening, mid-season and closing night performances, i’d welcome artists and friends to my home – in other words, a party every night! as David once wrote:
‘an invitation to one of sherry’s supper parties is much prized, especially those late night festival affairs overflowing with artists from all corners of the world’. i was able to meet and greet, with much brevity, in more than 20 languages.
David retired in 1999 and the former program Director of the belfast festival, sean Doran, took up the reins, presenting the first of four (newly named) perth international arts festivals in 2000. following his tenure, the australian opera director Lindy hume directed the festivals from 2004-2007, and following shelagh magadza’s final festival in 2011, englishman Jonathan holloway will direct festivals 2012-2015.
it is without doubt a summer tradition to pack the picnic hamper on a hot night and head to the somerville. there’s nothing better on a beautiful balmy evening than to sit under a starry sky amidst scented pines, relaxing with family and friends, a cool glass in hand, before snuggling up in your deckchair and waiting for the film to begin.
the film season is and always has been about celebrating and respecting audience’s cultural origins, taking audiences on journeys of discovery, enabling them to explore the many exciting, diverse and often intimate stories from around the world.
i look forward to many more wonderful years of seeing films at the somerville, with programming now in the very capable hands of piaf’s new film manager, madeline bates.
Sherry HopkinsProgram Manager (Film and Electronic Image) Perth International Arts Festival
UWA NEWS 29 november 2010 the university of Western australia16
